Pinwheels For Peace

On Monday September 21, the Latham Girl Scout troop joined girls from around the nation to participate in Pinwheels For Peace. Girl Scout troops nationwide created homemade pinwheels which they displayed as a visible symbol for creating world wide peace.

This is the first year that Latham had a troop and we are happy to join other troops in this worthwhile movement. We look forward to continuing this great tradition for years to come!

"I've seen and met angels 
wearing the disguise of ordinary people 
living ordinary lives."
~Tracy Chapman

Latham Players At It Again

The Latham Players is our world renowned Adult Services Drama Club. Penelope Chatterton has directed the group for over ten years and feels privileged to be involved with such a great group. Penelope recounts, “The Latham Players developed out of dance and voice lessons at our office on route 134 years ago. I elected to be that teacher as I had the background and the spirit for the job. I noticed, by calling in an executive meeting next door to see our theater pieces, that these folks loved entertaining! (So much so, that they call themselves "hams"!) We couldn't be stopped after that!”

The calendar for the Players is now packed year round. They perform at nursing homes, other agencies, the Cape Cod Community College and have been featured on Cambridge Public Access television. They also regularly perform at Latham Centers graduations and special events.
The Latham Players are a prime example of a program that enriches the individuals involved as well as the greater community. Most importantly, as Penelope states, “We have a nifty routine going and we continue to find fun in our innovation and humorous programs.”

The Latham Players are preparing for Max Manning's first television show called "The Diversity Show". They are dedicating it to Eunice Kennedy Schriver and the Players each have a wonderful slant on their participation and the meaning of the Special Olympics in their lives. Very wonderful participation and we will produce the program on Oct 3rd.

"Every survival kit should include a sense of humor."
~Author Unknown

Half Day Hoopla!

The first ever Half Day Hoopla was enjoyed by all who participated. On Thursday September 17, while the educational staff had a training, the kids were released early to participate in the Half Day Hoopla. Using the stage that is set up on the athletic field, students were asked to display their talents to the Latham community. Singing, dancing and comedy... our students are multi-talented and they shined on this day.

Many more students than expected participated and everyone enjoyed the show. It was a joy to see so many brave students able to ham it up in front of a large audience. Thanks go out to all the Residential staff, particularly Behavior Specialist Emily Lazott who came up with the idea and organized much of the event.

"The most wasted of all days is one without laughter."
~e.e. cummings

A Message From The Director of Finance

My name is Patricia (Pat) Hallahan and I am the Director of Finance at Latham Centers. Did you know that for every one dollar that Latham spends, 85 cents of it goes for payroll and fringe benefits? That does not leave much money for mortgage, food, utilities, school books, computers, and recreation just to name a few expenses.

Latham Centers is not like other schools that receive endowment funds to help them when things get tough, like it is now. Latham has no endowment and what we receive from the state and local governments is all that we have to spend. The state also controls our tuition rates so we can not raise them when our costs increase. If the state cuts payments which is what happened this past year, we need to find other ways to cover costs which have only increased for ourselves and for the staff who work here. It is not easy to manage the cash flow at Latham, but due to our great staff and supportive parents, we have managed. We don’t just want to cover our costs but continue to provide our kids with increasingly enriched programming and decent facilities for them to live and learn in.

This is where you come in. We need your support to help us meet the challenge of providing quality programming for kids who are restricted from so many of life’s activities. Please consider making a donation to help us fund our ongoing capital projects, enhance our PWS programming, or to simply provide an individual youth who has few funds of their own for their personal needs and/or recreation (such as horseback riding, skiing, or a gym membership).

Latham is a private, non profit, 501c 3 charitable organization. If you would like to make a donation to help us in our mission, please send it to:

Latham Centers Inc.,
1646 Main Street,
Brewster, MA 02631.

Any donation will make a huge difference in the lives of these kids. Thank you for your support!

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."
~Winston Churchill

First Day of School News

The first day of school was a bit later than usual this year, and students and staff were more ready than ever to start a new school year. School year 2009-2010 is bringing lots of positive changes. First of all, Latham School has begun a new reading program with students meeting in reading groups to improve their reading skills. Using the Teach Your Children to Read Well reading program, a reading program authored by Michael Mahoney and based on the best research about teaching, even struggling and beginning readers have the potential for tremendous results. There have been other changes as well. Physical Education is being taught daily to all but our transitional students by a new Physical Education teacher who brings with him much experience. Social Skills has also been added to the daily curriculum. Soon Latham will have our first school store, managed by a student from our transitional class and overseen by our vocational coordinator. Students will be earning Latham dollars to spend in the store. Our elective program has expanded to include a school newspaper and two off campus activities: video production and tap dancing. Students heard about all these changes at the first all school assembly, and their enthusiasm was palpable. Students are now getting ready for Student Council elections so that they can continue to work on making school year 2009-2010 a huge success for all.

"Always walk through life 
as if you have something new to learn and you will."
~Vernon Howard

We Love Cape Cod, End of Summer Celebration!

Cape Cod has some of the most beautiful beaches in all the world. Within minutes from our campus, there is easy access to ocean beaches with surf, bay beaches with warm, calm water and, if the tide is right, miles of open sand flats. The natural beauty around us is one of the greatest perks of our location

All summer long our kids have been fully enjoying Cape Cod. Almost daily there have been beach outings that have included swimming, beach walks, seashell scavenger hunts and kite flying. Today was the culmination of the summer’s activities.

This morning, the grill was packed up, the umbrellas were stowed with the beach towels and the kids were lathered up with their sunscreen as everyone headed out to West Dennis beach for a cookout. Since school starts next week, kids are doing their best to suck up the end of summer.

To all the day was a success. The kids have returned tired, but full of smiles and good memories from their Cape Cod summer. As school starts, it is days like this that the kids will remember most. These have been carefree, fun days where there was nothing to worry about. Sometimes a good day on the beach is the best medicine for what ails you.

"In summer, the song sings itself."
~William Carlos Williams

Latham Honors Eunice Kennedy Shriver

On Wednesday, August 12th, several of the individuals from the Latham Centers adult services were invited to participate in a procession in Hyannis to honor Eunice Kennedy Shriver, one of the founders of the Special Olympics who recently passed away. The individuals involved were all Special Olympics athletes, and walked together with other teams from around the state, proudly donning their team t-shirts and medals that they have won. All involved in the tribute were glad to have the opportunity to express both their gratitude for all that she has done for people with developmental disabilities, and their condolences to her family.

"Unselfish and noble actions 
are the most radiant pages in the biography of souls."
~David Thomas

Adult Services Fishing Trip A Success!

On July 22nd, many of the individuals from adult services participated in a day long fishing tournament out of Rock Harbor in Orleans. They left the harbor around 10am on deep sea fishing boats. The captains and crews of the boats donated their time and supplies and assisted the individuals to bait hooks and reel in their catch. All of the participants came home with plenty of bluefish and striped bass to enjoy, and memories of a fantastic day! After the tournament, prizes were awarded at a BBQ served by generous volunteers. A great time was had by all!

"Good things come to those who bait." ~Author Unknown

LATHAM PROFILES: Jonathan Smith

Director of Children's Services
Latham Centers

"Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others
cannot keep it from themselves."
~James Matthew Barrie

A Message From Human Resources

Finding qualified and committed staff to work at Latham Centers is a time consuming business. Ideally, we look for people with experience in residential programs and behavior management, although these skills can be hard to find. So, next on the list is someone with a Bachelor’s degree in psychology or human services and some experience working with people with disabilities.

Equally important are the personality traits of the candidate. We look for people who are passionate about helping people with special needs. Our ideal candidates should also be friendly, compassionate, open, flexible, have a sense of humor and a calm demeanor—someone who will stay calm in a crisis situation. They should be able to admit to their mistakes (we all make them!), accept feedback and grow from those experiences. We are looking for enthusiasm as well as common sense. Someone who can follow the rules and provide a consistent message. The desire to grow and learn is also important. We hope folks stay long term and get the career fulfillment they are looking for while providing the support they love to give.

"The vision must be followed by the venture.
It is not enough to stare up the steps - 
we must step up the stairs."
~Vance Havner